An examination of task analysis from several perspectives in order to identify some of its purposes and advantages reveals that, as the interest in learning theory has shifted from a predominately behavioral perspective to a more cognitive orientation, the purpose of task analysis has also shifted. Formerly the purpose of task analysis was to aid…

Discusses the contributions of cognitive theory to continued progress in the field of instructional design, and, correspondingly, what designers can do in the coming decade to facilitate the growth and development of the understanding of human cognition. Forty references are appended. (Author/LLS)

Considers the processes associated with holistic needs assessment and other front end activities such as needs analysis, front-end analysis, and task analysis. The Organizational Elements Model (OEM) is described to clarify how processes relate to levels of organizational planning, and the optimal contexts for use of each process are suggested.…

Discussion of the development of expert systems for cataloging focuses on a feasibility study conducted at the National Agricultural Library. Topics addressed include the nature of cataloging expertise; limitations of existing expert systems; research on cataloging expertise; and a model for cataloging expertise based on five cataloging task…

One of the major trends occurring in the area of task analysis methodology is the development of better methods to analyze cognitive tasks, including new methodologies for analyzing the ways in which knowledge should be structured within a student's head to facilitate given types of performance. The most important trend is the integration of task…

Discussion of instructional systems development (ISD) focuses on recent developments in cognitive task analysis and describes the Integrated Task Analysis Model, a framework for integrating cognitive and behavioral task analysis methods within the ISD model. Three components of expertise are analyzed: skills, knowledge, and mental models. (96…

Examines some of the recent developments in cognitive theory and explores their implications for instructional design. Topics discussed include a shift from emphasis on behavioral theory to cognitive theory; task analysis; instructional objectives; learner characteristics; instructional strategies; metacognition; and the dynamic nature of…

Critiques Aptitude-Treatment Interactions (ATI) as a major theoretical foundation for individualized instruction and argues that Content-Treatment Analysis (CTI), which assumes that no one learning treatment is appropriate for all subject content, is more appropriate. It is concluded that CTI should be given a greater role in instructional…

Defines courseware engineering (CE) and discusses how it differs from software engineering. Topics addressed include the goals of courseware engineering; a classification of tasks; costs; aspects of knowledge representation; the structure of knowledge in CE; processes in knowledge acquisition; and knowledge base validation. (Contains 48…

Presents a process definition of task analysis and discusses how various techniques of analysis--breaking the task into its constituent elements, determining the relationship between these elements, and restructuring for performance and instruction--relate to this perspective. Two decision tables, a master design chart, and 28 references are…

The authors explore federal learning disabilities (LD) guidelines, Wisconsin LD guidelines, and current educational research relating to approaches for teaching LD students. Two approaches are considered--the process-deficit approach and the task-analytic approach. (SBH)

Presents a review of literature on programing in Logo, including prerequisites of programing, cognitive effects of programing, stages of programing, and levels of programing expertise. An analysis of the literature establishes the need for operationalizing problem solving with Logo, and a research strategy to meet this need is suggested. (32…

This essay, the concluding section of a larger study, examines the present state of cognitive science and instructional theory as reflected in the study's earlier chapters. Cognitive analyses of tasks are reported in the broad domain of language comprehension and production (e.g., understanding, composing, and answering questions about texts). The…

This paper discusses two related areas in which recent advancements in cognitive science and educational technology may affect instructional design theory. These are: (1) the analysis of information-to-be-learned; and (2) the linkage of learning theory to instructional prescriptions. The first area proposes extensions to current methods of…